North East Theatre Guide: REVIEW: Fixing at Newcastle Alphabetti

Fixing

Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

Until 28 February 2026

then on tour.

Matt Miller returns to Alphabetti with the third show that he has collaborated with Peader Kirk. This time around they are both fixing cars in a holistic car maintenance programme over 8 weeks, whilst also discussing the relationship that they enjoyed with his father and younger sister.

Matt initially appears in their overalls as Natalie Spanner - a lecturer in car maintenance - and they make it clear that there will be some interaction with the audience as they explain the workings of a car from the sump plug through to the engine. This phase of the show is kept light hearted and entertaining. On the night that we were there the audience got involved with everything from pretending to be a car starting up though to a pair of jump leads. Because the audience were up for it this part of the show worked well.

Soon Natalie has asked everyone to close their eyes and think about a moment in a car whilst there is a quick costume change which, in turn, signals the move over to a really personal story. Back in the 90s they spent Fridays with their recently divorced father. He would pick them up in a 1952 Sunbeam Talbot Mark II before taking them to Stargate chippy for their tea. [Which incidentally is an excellent move as it still a great chippy - I digress, this isn't a food review about our nearest take away!] He'd then drive them around the corner to his house which had a nearby allotment and garage. Matt recalls the experience of these visits and the car trips in between using a car that had neither rear seatbelts nor flashing indicators.

The show then toggles between the two situations: how to maintain a car and how to maintain a relationship , both with effective maintenance. The result is a a production that feels like it quickly reaches a conclusion over 75 minutes. The power is in the reflective element as the audience consider their own situation and relationships. There's no big unnecessary gear changes in the story for shock value here. Instead there's a grounded fable that feels authentic.

The show feels light thanks to Natalie's rapport with the audience from the off. It is also a moving story that is one the audience can relate to. Fixing is another reminder that the region is capable of creating powerful theatrical experiences that represent our fabulous diverse community.

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: Von Fox

The tour:

Saturday 28 February Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle

www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk/fixing

Thursday 5 March Barnsley Civic

barnsleycivic.co.uk/event/fixing

Friday 6 March Nottingham Playhouse

nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/events/fixing

Saturday 7 March ARC Stockton Arts Centre

arconline.co.uk/whats-on/fixing

Thursday 12 March Stanley Arts, London